PG: Knicks vs Hornets: 12-5-24

[gavran]

Imagine scoring 19 in the first quarter, because you had to, just to end up with 24, because you didn't have to. I love the potential of this team, still want Divo back.

[The KnicksFix]

Imagine scoring 19 is the first quarter, because you had to, just to end uo with 24, because you didn't have to. I live the potential of this team, still want Divo back.

If we get Divo back, somehow, someway, the Knicks WILL win at least one chip. The Nova 4 + OG would have been amazing to see in the 4th quarter of games. But Nova 4 + KAT is well… supernova

[Iron Mantis]

Kat leading the NBA in rebounds

Amazing considering we play at a pace that only allows for 23.1 possessions per game

[thebuzzardman]

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The most talented knick team of our lifetime Folksssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best offensive Knicks team since 72-73.

Strong argument it's the best offensive Knicks team ever.

Best offense since Ewing. Talk about it!!!

It's a better offensive team than any Ewing era team. Full stop.

Of course, that was a different kind of team, great defense, in an era where defense was more primary. And pace was generally slower.

And yet those Ewing era teams were more than solid on offense, for the way they played.

But this team, hands down, best OFFENSIVE team since the 72-73 team.

And it's time to consider if it's better (on offense)

[thebuzzardman]

I highly doubt we trade Mitch but we really need a wing that can play the 2/3, defend, and shoot. He doesn’t have to be great but he has to be playable for 10mpg.

I really think we’re going to go to a 9 man rotation when fully healthy and hopefully a 10 man rotation whenever Shamet comes back.


Then come playoff time we’ll get into our 8 man rotation with 1 of Mitch or Precious not playing depending on matchup

[thebuzzardman]

A 7 man rotation and Precious only played 12 minutes. This really is a bit insane for a game we led by 20 to start the 4th quarter. He cleared the bench with 2 minutes left. I cannot fathom being ok with this.

Precious gone get his minutes, especially in lineups with smaller bigs. We needed him, and he’s showing up just in a nick of time.

I wonder if there is a team with a decent young wing making what Sims is making, but there GM somehow got fooled by Sims ability to play defense.

Make it happen Leon! Sprinkle some magic dust in that GM's coffee!

[thebuzzardman]

Mikal is leading the league in minutes, we have 3 wings and 1 of them played 46 minutes tonight. We absolutely need another one.

Like I said, maybe we already have one in Pac. Either way, we have enough to make it do what it do..

If Pac is playing it means our season is over because 2 of those wings are hurt



We're not playing a 19 year old rookie any kind of real minutes, he was sent to the G-league now that Precious is here. He's basically done for the season.

We need another wing, you just saw Mikal play 46 minutes straight in a game against the Hornets. That's not going to get any better, we saw that last year with Josh when Tom decides it's your turn to pay the blood god he wont stop until the debt is paid.

A few thoughts here.

While I'm pumping up McCullar, and think he'll eventually be good, no way a rookie who missed camp and is still getting into playing shape as it is, is going to crack Thibs rotation. Unless it's late in the season and some miracle happens, but it's doubtful.

Payne being out is basically what lead to Mikal playing 47, where Thibs is comfortable using Payne and McBride together. But just how completely comfortable is Thibs with this, as Mikal was leading the league in minutes even before Payne went down for a game.

It's pretty clear the Knicks wanted someone for that role and kind of searched the NBA bargin bin for Shamet and then Warren. Shamet is hurt and Warren probably isn't the player anymore the Knicks are thinking of for that role.

So, they'll probably deal for a wing, using either Mitch, Precious or the two together, though I doubt Thibs or the Knicks FO wants a backup C rotation of Sims\Hukpootie.

It's possible the Knicks don't trust Mitch's health not only for this season, but especially for this 4-5 year chip window.

Starting to wonder if that Mitch/Whatever works salary wise for Richards/Martin has real legs. I guess the Knicks throw in a few 2nd round picks.
I know Hornets have some C depth issues etc, but it's a team still in it's rebuild and getting a few picks and taking a chance on Mitch might be something they want to do.

Gut feeling, all joking about Mitch aside, is that the Knicks are taking the time VERY slowly with his rehab because they don't think he's really good for more than 30 or 40 game in ANY season right now, and they are both saving for the end of this season, but also because they don't want to reveal that to other teams and tank his trade value.

[thebuzzardman]

I know the Knicks are last in pace, stats don't lie etc.

I think that the stat is overinflated too.

I get the Knicks are leading the league in ppg scored because they are shooting a very high % from 3 and the FT line, that their offense is very efficient. But the pace can't be that REALISTICALLY slow if they are scoring this much.

It's talked about like Pistons era Chuck Daly, Knicks era Pat Riley, or Cavs era Fratello are coaching and the Knicks are constantly running 18 seconds off the shot clock, then getting into their play.

Sure, it's the slowest, but we are taking about seconds of difference. Like the Knicks lead the league in scoring but I bet 3 points separates 15 teams. And I get it matters, but the Knicks push the ball off misses enough, they opportunistically fast break.

The Knicks also don't just fly up and down the court and jack up ill advised 3s where their defense is completely unbalanced if there is a miss.

Sure, the Knicks pace is "slow", but it's not that slow. And they mostly disciplined.
I'd rather they play this way then what I've seen other teams play.
Ok, maybe they could push the pace more. But not that much.

[HEZI]

Building 2 years worth of chemistry in one month. Going to be really interesting to see the growth when the schedule gets tougher but you see how far they have come in just the first 20 games. Definitely has been one of the most enjoyable seasons in a long time

Not in the defense of Thibs, but extended playing time of starters give them a longer duration of gelling per game, which may speed up the process.

Indeed

[thebuzzardman]

So, I was harsh on Mikal, and face it, he deserved some of it.

Interesting now the Knicks are running some more looks for him, where he flashes into the post.

Sure, there's the defense and it's another conversation but looks like Knicks were more focused on establishing the KAT/Brunson P&R and all the actions off that, and now are working Mikal into more stuff.

Plus, just time for two new guys to gel and one of the reasons Mikal is such a good fit with the other 4 is all of them are willing to not force the offense, particularly Hart/OG/Mikal.

[KnixinSix]

A 7 man rotation and Precious only played 12 minutes. This really is a bit insane for a game we led by 20 to start the 4th quarter. He cleared the bench with 2 minutes left. I cannot fathom being ok with this.

Precious gone get his minutes, especially in lineups with smaller bigs. We needed him, and he’s showing up just in a nick of time.

This is a culmination of everything Ive been hoping would happen over the last two years. 3 of the 5 guys I talked about the most are Knicks now and its coming together even better than I imagined. When Precious came in in the 3Q they went to a switch everything defense and shut the Hornets down 38-16.

The Hornets played hard but when we switched everything in the 3Q they couldn't do anything. Precious is going to help team defense in more ways than I thought.

[KnixinSix]

I know the Knicks are last in pace, stats don't lie etc.

I think that the stat is overinflated too.

I get the Knicks are leading the league in ppg scored because they are shooting a very high % from 3 and the FT line, that their offense is very efficient. But the pace can't be that REALISTICALLY slow if they are scoring this much.

It's talked about like Pistons era Chuck Daly, Knicks era Pat Riley, or Cavs era Fratello are coaching and the Knicks are constantly running 18 seconds off the shot clock, then getting into their play.

Sure, it's the slowest, but we are taking about seconds of difference. Like the Knicks lead the league in scoring but I bet 3 points separates 15 teams. And I get it matters, but the Knicks push the ball off misses enough, they opportunistically fast break.

The Knicks also don't just fly up and down the court and jack up ill advised 3s where their defense is completely unbalanced if there is a miss.

Sure, the Knicks pace is "slow", but it's not that slow. And they mostly disciplined.
I'd rather they play this way then what I've seen other teams play.
Ok, maybe they could push the pace more. But not that much.

Fast break points off turnovers + a ridiculously high shooting efficiency offsets the slow pace and still nets us a high scoring output per game.

The slower pace allows this team a bit more energy to play D on the other end too.

[KnixinSix]

Like I said, maybe we already have one in Pac. Either way, we have enough to make it do what it do..

If Pac is playing it means our season is over because 2 of those wings are hurt



We're not playing a 19 year old rookie any kind of real minutes, he was sent to the G-league now that Precious is here. He's basically done for the season.

We need another wing, you just saw Mikal play 46 minutes straight in a game against the Hornets. That's not going to get any better, we saw that last year with Josh when Tom decides it's your turn to pay the blood god he wont stop until the debt is paid.

A few thoughts here.

While I'm pumping up McCullar, and think he'll eventually be good, no way a rookie who missed camp and is still getting into playing shape as it is, is going to crack Thibs rotation. Unless it's late in the season and some miracle happens, but it's doubtful.

Payne being out is basically what lead to Mikal playing 47, where Thibs is comfortable using Payne and McBride together. But just how completely comfortable is Thibs with this, as Mikal was leading the league in minutes even before Payne went down for a game.

It's pretty clear the Knicks wanted someone for that role and kind of searched the NBA bargin bin for Shamet and then Warren. Shamet is hurt and Warren probably isn't the player anymore the Knicks are thinking of for that role.

So, they'll probably deal for a wing, using either Mitch, Precious or the two together, though I doubt Thibs or the Knicks FO wants a backup C rotation of Sims\Hukpootie.

It's possible the Knicks don't trust Mitch's health not only for this season, but especially for this 4-5 year chip window.

Starting to wonder if that Mitch/Whatever works salary wise for Richards/Martin has real legs. I guess the Knicks throw in a few 2nd round picks.
I know Hornets have some C depth issues etc, but it's a team still in it's rebuild and getting a few picks and taking a chance on Mitch might be something they want to do.

Gut feeling, all joking about Mitch aside, is that the Knicks are taking the time VERY slowly with his rehab because they don't think he's really good for more than 30 or 40 game in ANY season right now, and they are both saving for the end of this season, but also because they don't want to reveal that to other teams and tank his trade value.

Hoopshype was reporting the cost for Richards was a couple 2nds minimum. Seems low to me but Mitch and Toppin plus 2 2nds (or 1FRP + 1 2nd) seems enough to me to make it potentially work. Mitch is an top 3 elite rim protector in the NBA and Hornets may want that for their offense especially with LaMelo out there.

[Tron Carter]

Read on Twitter

i’m so thankful everyday

[Jeff Van Gully]

Building 2 years worth of chemistry in one month. Going to be really interesting to see the growth when the schedule gets tougher but you see how far they have come in just the first 20 games. Definitely has been one of the most enjoyable seasons in a long time

Not in the defense of Thibs, but extended playing time of starters give them a longer duration of gelling per game, which may speed up the process.

No, say it.

“Why are we doing this in December?”

Because it’s December and that’s when you do it.

[thebuzzardman]

If Pac is playing it means our season is over because 2 of those wings are hurt



We're not playing a 19 year old rookie any kind of real minutes, he was sent to the G-league now that Precious is here. He's basically done for the season.

We need another wing, you just saw Mikal play 46 minutes straight in a game against the Hornets. That's not going to get any better, we saw that last year with Josh when Tom decides it's your turn to pay the blood god he wont stop until the debt is paid.

A few thoughts here.

While I'm pumping up McCullar, and think he'll eventually be good, no way a rookie who missed camp and is still getting into playing shape as it is, is going to crack Thibs rotation. Unless it's late in the season and some miracle happens, but it's doubtful.

Payne being out is basically what lead to Mikal playing 47, where Thibs is comfortable using Payne and McBride together. But just how completely comfortable is Thibs with this, as Mikal was leading the league in minutes even before Payne went down for a game.

It's pretty clear the Knicks wanted someone for that role and kind of searched the NBA bargin bin for Shamet and then Warren. Shamet is hurt and Warren probably isn't the player anymore the Knicks are thinking of for that role.

So, they'll probably deal for a wing, using either Mitch, Precious or the two together, though I doubt Thibs or the Knicks FO wants a backup C rotation of Sims\Hukpootie.

It's possible the Knicks don't trust Mitch's health not only for this season, but especially for this 4-5 year chip window.

Starting to wonder if that Mitch/Whatever works salary wise for Richards/Martin has real legs. I guess the Knicks throw in a few 2nd round picks.
I know Hornets have some C depth issues etc, but it's a team still in it's rebuild and getting a few picks and taking a chance on Mitch might be something they want to do.

Gut feeling, all joking about Mitch aside, is that the Knicks are taking the time VERY slowly with his rehab because they don't think he's really good for more than 30 or 40 game in ANY season right now, and they are both saving for the end of this season, but also because they don't want to reveal that to other teams and tank his trade value.

Hoopshype was reporting the cost for Richards was a couple 2nds minimum. Seems low to me but Mitch and Toppin plus 2 2nds (or 1FRP + 1 2nd) seems enough to me to make it potentially work. Mitch is an top 3 elite rim protector in the NBA and Hornets may want that for their offense especially with LaMelo out there.

I think they'd want Martin too.

Listen, I find the Martin brothers as obnoxious as any NBA fan, but of course would want one on the Knicks.

Martin seems to have this Knick team DNA. Kind of a 3/4/2 kind of player, does a little bit of everything, willing defender.
Probably ok with a bench role.
I think it happens.
Buzztrodamus.

[Jeff Van Gully]

So, I was harsh on Mikal, and face it, he deserved some of it.

Interesting now the Knicks are running some more looks for him, where he flashes into the post.

Sure, there's the defense and it's another conversation but looks like Knicks were more focused on establishing the KAT/Brunson P&R and all the actions off that, and now are working Mikal into more stuff.

Plus, just time for two new guys to gel and one of the reasons Mikal is such a good fit with the other 4 is all of them are willing to not force the offense, particularly Hart/OG/Mikal.

These. Things. Take. Time.

December just started.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Imagine scoring 19 is the first quarter, because you had to, just to end uo with 24, because you didn't have to. I live the potential of this team, still want Divo back.

Maybe you get him back in the offseason for pennies on the dollar because he is playing like a complete trash panda in Minnesota.

[KnixinSix]

A few thoughts here.

While I'm pumping up McCullar, and think he'll eventually be good, no way a rookie who missed camp and is still getting into playing shape as it is, is going to crack Thibs rotation. Unless it's late in the season and some miracle happens, but it's doubtful.

Payne being out is basically what lead to Mikal playing 47, where Thibs is comfortable using Payne and McBride together. But just how completely comfortable is Thibs with this, as Mikal was leading the league in minutes even before Payne went down for a game.

It's pretty clear the Knicks wanted someone for that role and kind of searched the NBA bargin bin for Shamet and then Warren. Shamet is hurt and Warren probably isn't the player anymore the Knicks are thinking of for that role.

So, they'll probably deal for a wing, using either Mitch, Precious or the two together, though I doubt Thibs or the Knicks FO wants a backup C rotation of Sims\Hukpootie.

It's possible the Knicks don't trust Mitch's health not only for this season, but especially for this 4-5 year chip window.

Starting to wonder if that Mitch/Whatever works salary wise for Richards/Martin has real legs. I guess the Knicks throw in a few 2nd round picks.
I know Hornets have some C depth issues etc, but it's a team still in it's rebuild and getting a few picks and taking a chance on Mitch might be something they want to do.

Gut feeling, all joking about Mitch aside, is that the Knicks are taking the time VERY slowly with his rehab because they don't think he's really good for more than 30 or 40 game in ANY season right now, and they are both saving for the end of this season, but also because they don't want to reveal that to other teams and tank his trade value.

Hoopshype was reporting the cost for Richards was a couple 2nds minimum. Seems low to me but Mitch and Toppin plus 2 2nds (or 1FRP + 1 2nd) seems enough to me to make it potentially work. Mitch is an top 3 elite rim protector in the NBA and Hornets may want that for their offense especially with LaMelo out there.

I think they'd want Martin too.

Listen, I find the Martin brothers as obnoxious as any NBA fan, but of course would want one on the Knicks.

Martin seems to have this Knick team DNA. Kind of a 3/4/2 kind of player, does a little bit of everything, willing defender.
Probably ok with a bench role.
I think it happens.
Buzztrodamus.

Mitch (14.3m) plus 2 2nds (or 1FRP + 1 2nd) for Nick Richards (5M) + Cody Martin (8.1M)

[Iron Mantis]

I'm not trading Mitch unless we have a very good reason to do so.

Having the option of playing him alongside KAT or letting him flat out dominate opposing benches can make us unstoppable.